Friday, July 30, 2010

Did a bit more shading around the wrist today. This is a fun one and I think we're both enjoying the work (although I think the inner wrist wasn't very enjoyable for her today, but she was very relaxed and sat great).

Still have a few more shading sessions up the arm before we get to color. None of the shading is actually black. Even the darkest portions are a watered down black that becomes a very deep rich grey. It gives it the look, but without the total heaviness of an arm full of black. I feel like it adds a little softness to a piece that is very dense with very little skin showing...

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Got this outline on today. Made a few modifications to the drawing, but we're liking how it fits.

Pretty difficult one though...the stencil rubbed off in a bunch of places so I had to wing it a bit, but she sat like a rock and it all worked out. Also did a session on the blue phoenix back piece earlier, but forgot to get pics...

Colored in this little guy on the Koi/Skull/Chrysanthemum leg. Kind of nice doing a shorter session after some marathon ones we've had in the past. Couple more sessions and we're about done, and then maybe time to move on up to the thigh...

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Finished up the shading at the top of the back. Still need to finish the collar bone on one side and the border will be even all the way around. Back to the ribs or connecting around the armpits next time. Not too much fun for him either way I guess...

Monday, July 12, 2010

Still a have a few little details to complete on Shoki, but we started more outlining this time. An Oni getting vanquished (his ass kicked) falling down the thigh.

There will be one more demon on the back of the thigh and two more on the other thigh, four total. In Japanese, the word for four is "shi", which is also the word for death. Usually the number four can be considered unlucky, and I usually try to avoid any number of four in a Japanese composition...but on this one it is being purposely used to add the sinister effect of the Oni (they're trying to bring the death). His goal is a complete body suit, and we are both interested in including as much symbolism into every aspect of it that we can.

The wife "borrowed" my camera, so apologies for the crappy iPhone photos...

Friday, July 9, 2010

Colored in the tiger today. I seriously need to work on the photography though. It looks a bit washed out in the photos, and I'm much happier with how it looks in person.

We've been making really good time on this one and just one more session left to color in the flower and he's got a sleeve. This piece has been a continuation of a half sleeve/chest panel I did a couple years ago to drop it down to the wrist.

I'll try to get some decent full arm shots upon completion in a couple weeks.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Finished this backpiece about a year ago (arms not by me)...still need to do clouds in the background, but the main image is complete. Did a session on his leg the other day and forgot to get pics, just photographed this one.

Still trying to figure out how to take better pictures and get rid of flash burn and what not...

In any case, this is what a big tattoo looks like after a year or so of wear (and he is a surfer, so there is lots of time in the sun for this one)...

He's pretty motivated to finish off the rest of his body and we'll be seeing a lot of each other in the coming months.

Then on to the butt and thighs with some vanquished oni (Japanese demons...Shoki is the "Demon Queller" after all) and the background from the shoulders to above the knees. Then sleeves and chest at some point down the road, but one step at a time.